Oak Bay library to remain closed up to 12 more weeks for asbestos abatement
The Oak Bay Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library will remain closed for significantly longer than initially planned.
A week after closing the library for asbestos testing, the District of Oak Bay announced Friday that it has decided to "proactively" continue the closure for "up to 12 weeks" while it works on "abatement of asbestos-containing materials" in the facility.
The district first announced the library closure on Jan. 27, after discovering "dust contaminated with asbestos" in an area of the facility.
The library was originally scheduled to reopen on Monday.
"The district’s top priority is ensuring the safety of staff and the community," reads a statement posted on the Oak Bay website Friday.
"The district is awaiting results from the additional testing undertaken this week and will provide an update when the test results are received."
Library materials on hold at the Oak Bay Branch will not expire on Feb. 6, and patrons will not incur late fees, the district said.
While the Vancouver Island Regional Library abolished late fees on Jan. 1 of this year, GVPL's website indicates that late returns to its system still incur fines.
"The district is working with GVPL to explore options to deliver library services at an alternative location in Oak Bay," the statement reads.
"Once an alternative location is confirmed, details will be announced. GVPL is committed to minimizing the disruption of this temporary closure for patrons."
Checked-out items can be returned to any other GVPL location, and the district says there are plans to install a temporary drop box for library returns at the Monterey Recreation Centre next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
1 killed, 3 injured including toddler, after Hwy. 417 crash in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.